News

January 26, 2010

Clark Couple Receives $25,000 Blessing

If he needs fuel or sundries on the way to or from his job at the Quaker Oats plant in Columbia, Clifford Comstock has a regular stop. That’s where the Clark resident went after work on Jan. 15. While at Fast Lane, 520 E. Hinton in Columbia, Comstock decided to add a $2 Scratchers ticket to his purchase.

"Just something told me to buy that ticket," explained Comstock.

While scratching the "Deuces Wild" ticket in the parking lot, he soon discovered it held the top prize of $25,000.

"I about fainted when I scratched the first one off and it said $5,000," recalled Comstock. "I went back in to the lady who sold it to me and said, ’God bless you, and thank you.’ She asked me why, and I showed her, and they about fainted, too."

Telling his wife, Mary, turned out to be a little more difficult. She was driving to southeast Missouri, so Clifford decided to wait until she had made it safely. Once she had arrived at her mother’s house later that night, Clifford gave her a call.

"I knew it would be a shock hearing something this good happening to us," said Comstock. "I asked her if she was sitting down, because I had something to tell her."

Though she feared bad news, Mary was delighted to find out it was just the opposite.

"I got a $2 scratch-off ticket, and it’s worth $25,000," said Clifford. "I heard both her and her mom scream!"

Comstock said he kept the ticket in his Bible until he was able to claim it at Missouri Lottery headquarters in Jefferson City on Jan. 22. The couple has a few sensible ideas for the windfall and hopes to "use it wisely."

"Some of the young people at work asked if I was going to retire," laughed Comstock.

Even though he is only two years from retirement, he tried to explain that it wasn’t that much money. But it was Mary who emphasized that the Comstocks appreciated their good fortune.

"First and foremost, we know that it’s a blessing from God," she said.